In previous articles, we explored the origins and development of Tantra, as well as its core principles. We also looked into one of the most well-known traditional tantric lineages – the teachings of Kashmir Shaivism. But do today’s tantra workshops offer these classical teachings, or has an entirely new form of tantra emerged?
Anyone who has studied traditional tantric teachings will admit that the form of tantra spreading in the West today is quite different from traditional tantric practices. As such, the term neo-tantra has been coined to describe these modern Western teachings. In our exploration of tantra’s evolution, we’ve seen that tantra has always changed throughout history, so modern changes shouldn’t necessarily be viewed negatively. Let’s take a closer look at what neo-tantra really is and what common threads it shares with classical tantra.
Just like yoga, tantra teachings were adapted in the 20th century to suit Western society, giving rise to neo-tantra. Why was this necessary?
In India, the birthplace of tantra, spirituality is something people are born into, and various rituals are part of everyday life. Gurus are still held in high regard, and those on a spiritual path are respected. Enlightenment is not seen as a distant ideal, but as a real goal to strive toward. Compare this with our society, where spirituality is often met with skepticism and practicality is valued above all. Most people never contemplate something like enlightenment.
For most Westerners, traditional tantric techniques feel very foreign and are also difficult to practice. Meditation isn’t a part of most people’s daily lives. Our minds are so restless that being alone without distractions can feel overwhelming. Yet, meditation with mantra and yantra (sacred geometry) is a core technique in traditional tantra.
It can be said that, spiritually, the Western person is in an early developmental stage. Any teaching must match the student’s level of development to truly reach them — and perhaps this is one of the main reasons tantra had to be simplified.
Neo-tantra is deeply intertwined with psychology, emphasizing conscious relationships, communication, self-love, and body awareness. Traditional tantra also deals with purifying the mind and emotions, but not through cognitive teachings — instead, it uses mantra. This can seem like magic, something hard to grasp or accept. But it’s important to remember that tantra is a teaching of energy. Everything is energy, so human energy can be transformed with mantra — a specific energetic frequency and a tool that creates a healing vibration, leading to real changes in a person’s mind and psyche. These mantras are usually locked and are opened by a guru’s initiation for a specific practitioner. Neo-tantra also includes energy work, but more through breathwork and body-based practices.
Neo-tantra places considerable emphasis on sexuality, whereas in traditional tantra, sexuality plays only a very small part. However, neo-tantra’s approach to sexuality is actually very healing — it speaks of sexual energy as life energy and as a positive part of being human. It aims to bring a new dimension to sexuality: sacredness.
As in traditional tantra, sex is not the goal in neo-tantra either. Instead, it fosters an understanding of sexual energy as life energy — not created for someone else, but for one’s own spiritual growth and well-being. Thus, neo-tantra is not about group sex or polyamory, as it is sometimes sensationally portrayed. Let’s be honest — sexuality draws attention because it has been taboo in the West for a long time. Of course, one should always ask: Is this practice right for me? and Does it align with my values? because a lot of strange things happen under the label of tantra.
However, when awareness is brought into sexuality, and shame is replaced with sacredness, it can be deeply empowering. The sacredness of sexuality also lies in the pleasure and ecstasy that can be expanded to all of Life. There is a vast difference between being enchanted by Life or feeling like a suffering victim. This takes mastery, control of the mind, and presence — all of which neo-tantra seeks to teach.
In summary, although neo-tantra workshops may not explicitly talk about enlightenment, neo-tantra still has an uplifting nature. Self-love, authenticity, and bringing a spiritual aspect into earthly experience are values not far removed from traditional tantra — and neo-tantra certainly has a positive influence in our overly materialistic society.
So let’s accept that spiritually, we are still in our early stages, and we need slightly lighter tantric tools — which neo-tantra offers. And if tantra calls you to go deeper, traditional tantra is still very much alive. When the student is ready, the teacher appears!